Expect a different Calvin Abueva donning the Gilas Pilipinas uniform should he get the clearance to play for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China late this month.

Abueva is as excited as every Gilas fan to return to national team duty after five years and vowed to give his all – just like he always does – for the flag and country.

“Kung mabibigyan ako ulit ng pagkakataon, 110 percent bigay ko dito sa laban na ito,” said Abueva, who was in attendance during the national team’s first practice at the PhilSports Arena on Monday, Sept. 11.

He joined a few other faces like Terrence Romeo, Jason Perkins, Mo Tautuaa and Stanley Pringle whom Gilas interim head coach Tim Cone personally handpicked to bolster the remaining World Cup squad.

Abueva and Perkins, however, still need to get clearance from the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee to formalize their inclusion in the lineup.

Nonetheless, Abueva is honored to be part of the national team again especially after not being called-up since getting suspended by FIBA following the Gilas-Australia brawl in 2018 at the Philippine Arena.

“Honored na makabalik ulit tayo dito. Sabi ko nga sa family ko, syempre nakakanood din naman ako ng Gilas, medyo may mga intensity na kulang, kaya just honored nga na makabalik and ipagdarasal ko na makalaro at age 35,” said Abueva.

He vowed to provide the energy and hustle for the Nationals as it takes on Bahrain, Jordan and Thailand in the preliminary phase of the men’s 5x5 event in the Asiad.

“Different (Abueva) na ngayon kung ano yung pinapakita natin sa PBA iba pa rin yung ipapakita natin dito sa Gilas. Alam natin mga basher natin dyan isang mali mo lang so kailangan natin mag focus at ibigay ang best natin dito,” he said.